When it Comes to Nuts, Nomads Know Best!

What’s the Scoop with Nuts? Nomads Know Best!

In nomadic cultures in desert areas like northern Africa, nuts are a key element of the daily diet. Why? A handful of nuts can pack extended energy without causing thirst. This is imperative in a desert, but it’s also very helpful for anyone who wants to stay full while watching their weight. (Sadly, I'm not talking about nut butters, which are already ground up so your body absorbs more of the fat while processing the key nutrients. That story is for another day... BUT you can increase the digestive value of your nut butter by mixing chopped raw nuts into it!)

Nuts are a whole real food - rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, minerals and vitamins necessary for health and metabolism. Unsalted nuts don’t make you thirsty, so they don’t cause dehydration like beef or pork.

Studies show that nuts promote more weight loss than the same amount of equivalent calories of refined carbohydrates (like bread or white rice). But unlike people who eat large amounts of starchy or sweet carbohydrates, people who eat more nuts have a lower risk of getting type II (adult onset) diabetes.

The reason nuts are so powerful is they provide the ideal balance of protein, fat and fiber - all of which maintain your blood sugar and insulin levels. When these levels are maintained properly, you have a lower appetite and you consume less calories over the whole day. Nuts also speed up your metabolism for a longer time than refined sugars and carbohydrates. They give you wonderful and enduring energy!

In addition to helping you lose weight, nuts provide more minerals and vitamins than most other foods. These minerals, like magnesium, chromium, selenium, and zinc, are critical for keeping your metabolism running at top speed.

So do like the Nomads do. Snack on almonds, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts and macadamia nuts. Seeds are great too -- try pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. But remember stick to 1-2 servings one or two times a day (a serving of nuts is typically 10-12, or what would fit in the palm of your hand)

So go ahead and enjoy your whole seeds & nuts. Eat healthy, eat happy, and have fun doing it!